But there was bad news in Miami for Scotland World Cup hopes when Brazil bore out the scores, 3-0. Following his collegemates from the ever-strong Tartan Army came Scotland, hopeful of a big breakthrough to the next round. Instead, they saw two goals from Brazilian genius Vinicius Jr in the first-half which in effect gave the Brazil side the victory before Scotland had had time to settle.

It’s a heart-felt, soul-stirring loss that has given Scotland’s destiny into the hands of others. Their fortunes now rest with the outcome at other games as elimination is not yet a certainty. The downward slide has been brutal for a team that started the day in a relatively strong place among the third placed teams.

Vinicius Jr Silences the Tartan Army

As in all things, Scotland had to get off to a solid start. Avoiding a slow start, after losing an opening to Morocco in the last match, was key. Those plans went only seven minutes, though.

Brazil got in on their 11th strike by causing a costly defensive error. When it was his turn to make the call, Scott McKenna played with hesitation and Brazil’s hot frontline hitting him. The ball eventually passed to Vinicius Jr and the academy stalwart was able to get behind keeper Angus Gunn, before beating him once again into an empty net. A moment of quality from one of the world’s most dangerous attackers, but at the same time a moment Scotland will look back at with frustration.

A goal turned everything around. But with thousands of fans from Scotland getting inside the party mood soon died down and Brazil took charge. At all times Vinicius Jr. and his goalkeeper had the potential to be a threat but at the same time Scotland failed to get anything going in possession or in control.

Defensive Errors Come at a High Price Once More.

But the first goal was just a prelude to Scotland’s troubles.

Brazil were still on top of possession and territory, and took Scotland into their half. The Scots made a brief recovery but another defensive blip proved to be terminal. These attacks were to be avoided when Robertson gave the ball away in an unsafe position to Brazil.

Bruno Guimaraes shot a long-range pass to Vinicius Jr who somehow managed to get the ball through the defense to score at the far post. The Real Madrid forward was not in any doubt, however, focused a magnificent home run to Brazil’s second goal of the game and was now 1-0.The Real Madrid striker had no idea that he had shot exactly right, finding the back of his net for his second goal of this evening and securing a commanding 1-0 Brazil lead before half-time.

The protest was also Scotland’s biggest problem over the course of the tournament. At key times, players have been widely let down by individual failings, which have proved a liability for competitive displays. Against top-class opposition like Brazil, those are receiving a comeuppance right here, right now.

It seems Scotland are offering little forward at the time of writing.

They were a worrying picture by half time for Scotland. They had not been in the final third of Brazil for more than a minute and missed and made no notes against a moving target.

Brazil keeper Alisson had a fairly relaxed night while Scotland failed to create any obvious chances. This was typical for the Liverpool keeper as he would eventually be beaten by Scott McTominay and make the save.

Those statistics lapsed into the bigger issue. There was no penetration, creativity or composure in key moments on Scotland’s attack. Effort never could be called into question, but quality in the final third was elusive.

Brazil threatened each time they moved forward. Before the visitor got a break from that with Gunn’s great save, Vinicius Jr almost scored again to put the match on ice.

Brazil Add the Finishing Touch

Then Brazil was able to put the finishing touch at half time in the second half.

Then Guimares had time to get back on the pitch and knock away the attackers before positioning Matheus Cunha for Brazil’s third goal. The 3-0 score was final.

Neymar made his debut in the late stages of the match, injecting some drama for Brazilian fans. Neymar was back on the national team after a prolonged layoff, and got a hero’s welcome from the Miami crowd. He was no lifeboat to save Brazil from relegation as they were locked out of the last two places with the top two in the table, and his presence only boosted their status.

McTominay found the back of the net several times in the rest of the first half but Alisson held firm.

What happens next for Scotland?

Now, the greatest uncertainty is over Scotland World Cup hopes.

Men with hearts of steel weren’t too “hard to kill” to make it back to the matchday 2 round of the knockout. Their development prospects will be based on the other group’s results in the next few days. Senegal, Ecuador, Curacao, Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia are among the contenders to be nearer to Scotland than the third placed countries.

Currently a projected knockout with Mexico is possible were Scotland to get through. But the prospects in those scenarios are still somewhat up in the air and may shift markedly as new results become available.

It’ll be frustrating for Steve Clarke and the Chillicothe Indians as they wait to find out. It was clear that the tripod of a Brazil defeat had fallen as several of Scotland’s players lay on the ground at the end of the match, having been physically drained, but also emotionally drained as well.

Now more so than ever, the Tartan Army was on their side, putting their backs into their team. The spirit in which they back the sport has been one of the highlights of the event, since the game hasn’t most of the time.

The country’s campaign is now in limbo. Brazil are clear that they’re in the picture because they rely on Vinicius Jr. for their quality and power while Scotland must be hoping for one last chance.

In the meantime, their World cup aspiration is alive just for now.